‘South Pacific,’ Seen Through ‘90s Eyes

Time has dulled the controversial issues of race in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “South Pacific,” leaving a sweet confectionery romance. In this Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities production at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, director Glenn Casale’s staging is sometimes static, sharply contrasting with Kay Cole’s lively choreography.

Christina Saffran Ashford and Norman Large warmly realize Nellie and Emile with rich vocals. As dueling entrepreneurs, Kecia Lewis and Gary Beach are scene-stealing delights. Lewis’ Bloody Mary is earthy, while Beach’s Luther Billis is a likable buffoon.

Nellie’s rejection of Emile for his interracial liaison and the resulting offspring, along with Cable’s (Eric Kunze) refusal to marry Tonkinese Liat (Dina Morishita) were more understandable in an era when the South still had “colored” facilities--and in a war in which the forces were still segregated (although this production integrates the singing SeaBees). The song “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught,” which raised some eyebrows then, has lost its bite.

Although David Profeta’s costumes for the “Thanksgiving Follies” are not as colorful as the movie’s, they are creative and more believable.

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* “South Pacific,” Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends Oct. 10. $25-$45. (310) 372-4477. Running time: 2 hours, 50 minutes.